Has David Attenborough Saved His Most Important Message Until Last?
At 99 years old, he could be forgiven for not caring anymore. But his mission is as strong as ever
I had just signed up for my first scuba diving experience, and after listening to the safety briefing, it was time for me to get into the water. However, as I lifted all the heavy equipment onto my back and shuffled my way to the edge of the boat, I wondered if I’d made a grave mistake.
To steady my nerves, I took a few quick, panicked breaths into my lungs before jumping into the water and feeling the first drops of ocean seep through my wetsuit.
Upon surfacing, I made sure to give the “OK” sign, which I had just learned was expected of every diver who feels safe enough to do so — even though this was far from my truth.
The truth was that it was 8 a.m., schools of fish were beginning to circulate around me, and I was crapping myself.
As I descended into the deep blue, I took my first few breaths underwater, and I knew my life had changed. There is something truly unforgettable about breathing in a place where the breath doesn’t exist — especially when it’s among gorgeous coral heads and beautiful sharks.
That was the first dive of many. Over 1,500, in fact.
Across Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Honduras, the Caribbean, Spain, and Tanzania, I’ve taught hundreds of students how to scuba dive too.
To say the oceans have changed my life is an understatement. They’ve shaped it.
Unfortunately, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.
Even in my short 13 years of exploring the world’s oceans, I’ve seen them change.
Corals that I once loved have died. Delicate ocean floors have been destroyed by bottom trawlers. Fish populations have depleted in huge numbers. And the amount of plastic and micro-plastics floating around is truly depressing.
The good news is that the small areas that have been protected have bounced back and are now flourishing.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is a great example of this. It’s now the single largest fully protected conservation area in the United States and one of the largest marine protected areas in the world. It encompasses 582,578 square miles (1,508,870 square kilometers) of the Pacific Ocean and is a thriving ecosystem. But it wasn’t always that way.
As massive as that area is, it's tiny in comparison to the size of the Pacific Ocean.
If you zoom out, it’s the equivalent of a drop. And therein lies the problem.
Currently, only 3% of the world’s oceans are protected. The rest is free game — including Antarctica.
The level of destruction this has caused and is causing worldwide is shocking.
It’s easy for me to get angry and lose hope, especially when it’s predicted that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 and humanity will be dead and buried if we can continue to treat our oceans in the same vain.
It’s easy to lose hope but I’m clinging to two important things
During his most recent documentary titled Ocean, 99-year-old David Attenborough talks about his life and love for the deep blue.
His message is clear: protect our oceans now or there will be nothing left to protect, including ourselves.
He goes on to explain another time in history when he had lost all hope until a pivotal moment changed the course of his and one species’ life.
Whaling almost decimated the entire population of whales until many countries agreed to stop between 1986 and 1990. Ever since then, the number of whales has bounced back. Big pods can once again be seen migrating the Earth and I have had the honour of seeing many of these gentle giants over the years.
“If you look them in the eye, you’d never want to hurt them.”
Before 1986, David Attenborough thought that he would live to see whales go extinct. But he’s actually seen them flourish.
That’s why he urgently said, “We’re in a critically similar place now. If we don’t act fast we’re not going to destroy one species, we’re on course to destroy them all, including ourselves.”
It’s a haunting message but it’s true.
The extraordinary thing about this is that David Attenborough won’t live to see what happens. He’ll be gone long before the oceans bounce back or continue to decline. So, given his age and the life that he’s lived, he could be forgiven for not caring anymore. But he’s as passionate as ever.
And so am I.
That’s why these words are some of the most important I’ve ever written.
An important date looms and it could change the course of history forever
“This could be the moment of change. If we save our seas, we save our world.” — Sir David Attenborough
Many scientists, marine biologists, and conservationists agree that in order for the oceans to recover (let alone thrive), at least 30% must be protected.
That’s an area 10x greater than what is currently being protected.
On June 13th, 2025 — in 10 days time — the UN is voting on whether or not this should happen. And it’s one of the most important votes in history.
It’s one of the most important votes because if it’s passed a lot of the world’s oceans can return to their abundant ways. Fish populations can thrive once more, the 3 billion people who depend on the ocean for food can all have enough to go around, and the planet might just be able to breathe a sigh of relief in much the same way it did when whale populations were saved from extinction.
If not, then I dread to think where we’ll be in 15, 20, or 25 years time.
“The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on Earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the Earth.” — Sir David Attenborough
How you can get involved
Watch the documentary — it’s hard-hitting but also beautiful.
Spread the word — share this article, speak to friends and family, write articles or social media posts, create videos, do anything you can to get the word out.
Sign a petition in your home country.
Support organisations like Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd, etc.
Write a letter directly to your President or Prime Minister urging them to vote and take action.